How to self-repair lumbar muscle strain

Written by Guan Jing Tao
Orthopedics
Updated on January 19, 2025
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Lumbar muscle strain, especially repeated lumbar and back sprains, as well as prolonged sitting, standing, exposure to cold, and chill, can all cause lumbar muscle strain. Therefore, it is first necessary to avoid excessive bending and lifting activities, as well as exposure to cold and chill, particularly abnormal bending and lifting activities. Normally, one should squat first, then lift heavier objects and hold them close to the abdomen, which is a more correct posture for lifting things. After injuring the lumbar muscles, it is advisable to persist with local physical therapy daily, such as heat therapy, acupuncture, and physiotherapy, while avoiding cold, chill, prolonged sitting, and standing. One can also take some non-steroidal anti-inflammatory and analgesic drugs orally. During the non-acute phase, when there is no obvious pain in the lumbar muscles, one can try exercises like planking, proper jogging, and pull-ups to enhance the strength of the back and lumbar muscles, which can promote the recovery of tissue damage from lumbar muscle strain and increase its strength.

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Written by Li Jin
Orthopedics
1min home-news-image

How to diagnose lumbar muscle strain

For the diagnosis of lumbar muscle strain, it is mainly based on symptoms, physical examination, or combined with imaging studies. The typical symptoms of lumbar muscle strain include soreness or swelling pain in the lower back, which worsens with exertion and lessens with rest. Patients are also unable to persist in activities that involve bending over. During a physical examination, tender points in the lower back may be found, or imaging studies can be used to rule out other lumbar spine conditions. Under these circumstances, a diagnosis of lumbar muscle strain can be made. Patients with lumbar muscle strain should pay attention to rest, and can use anti-inflammatory pain medications, combined with heat therapy, physiotherapy, massage, and blocking methods for treatment, which generally can effectively improve symptoms and promote recovery. (Specific medication use should be under the guidance of a doctor.)

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Written by Su Zhen Bo
Orthopedics
1min 3sec home-news-image

Which part to massage for lumbar muscle strain?

After experiencing lumbar muscle strain, massage therapy can be used for treatment. During the massage, focus on the kidney area on both sides of the lumbar spine. Techniques such as muscle lifting and pinching, local elbow pressing, and massage methods like rubbing, kneading, and rolling can be used. Stimulate effective acupoints in the waist to restore normal circulation of qi and blood in the lumbar muscles, promote the muscle tissues to absorb nutrients, enhance the strength, toughness, and elasticity of lumbar muscles, and reduce symptoms such as pain and swelling, as well as increase the range of motion in the lumbar spine area. Additionally, support with lumbar acupuncture, moxibustion, electrotherapy, and physical therapy. Under the guidance of a rehabilitation doctor, strengthen lumbar functional exercises to accelerate recovery. In terms of diet, consume more fresh fruits and foods rich in calcium.

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Written by Li Jin
Orthopedics
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How to treat lumbar muscle strain properly?

Lumbar muscle strain is mainly caused by long-term poor posture and chronic injuries. Patients with lumbar muscle strain can experience symptoms such as back pain and limited mobility. For the treatment of lumbar muscle strain, it is important to rest and develop good habits of using the back during work. Symptomatic medication treatment can also be applied, such as using non-steroidal anti-inflammatory and analgesic drugs to relieve pain. These drugs can be used for a short period after meals and are effective in alleviating pain. Additionally, treatments like hot compresses, massage, physical therapy, acupuncture, or local blockages can also be used to effectively relieve pain.

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Written by Li Jin
Orthopedics
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How to recover from a lumbar muscle strain?

Patients with lumbar muscle strain are mainly caused by long-term heavy physical activities involving the waist, poor posture, chronic strain, etc. The symptoms are primarily manifested as back pain and restricted movement. These symptoms are alleviated after rest and worsened after labor. For the treatment of lumbar muscle strain, it is important to first ensure adequate rest and develop proper habits for using the waist to avoid long-term heavy physical activities. Symptomatic medication treatments, such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory analgesics, can be used. Additionally, methods like hot compresses, physical therapy, massage, and local block treatment can be employed. These methods play a positive role in symptom improvement and recovery. (Please use medications under the guidance of a doctor.)

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Written by Na Hong Wei
Orthopedics
1min 19sec home-news-image

How to assist in the examination of lumbar muscle strain?

How should lumbar muscle strain be assessed through auxiliary examinations? What auxiliary examinations are needed for lumbar muscle strain? Clinically, lumbar muscle strain is quite common; out of every ten people, at least two or three have it. The characteristic of these patients is that their symptoms are severe but their physical signs are mild. Therefore, when encountering such patients, a screening process is generally required, which involves a method of exclusion. After examination, an X-ray is usually taken first to check for obvious lumbar spondylolisthesis, the severity of bone hyperplasia, and any traumas, whether fresh or old, that might have caused vertebral fractures. Then, some people might need a CT scan, which aims to exclude lumbar disc herniation. Many patients do not have herniated discs, or only have slight bulging, but their symptoms are severe, making them restless. Generally, there is no need for an MRI, but some patients strongly request an MRI examination. After the MRI, sometimes high-density shadows can be seen in the muscles of the lower back, which might be caused by injuries within these muscles. Therefore, the auxiliary examinations for lumbar muscle strain are usually negative, with few positive findings, which is a characteristic of this condition.